Manchester United Balls: In 1989 Michael Knighton Had Lost A Million And Gained Michael Knighton

MANCHESTER United fans grumbling over their side’s slip from the top can cast their eyes back to August 19 1989, when new chairman Michael Knighton dressed in the team kit before going on the pitch to entertain the crowd before the first division match against Arsenal.

He agreed to buy the club for £20m. But, as the BBC reports, it never did happen:

The deal with Michael Knighton collapsed after his financial backers backed out. He went on to buy Carlisle United instead. Manchester United chairman Martin Edward had already rejected a bid of £10m from newspaper magnate, Robert Maxwell in 1984. In 1991 Manchester United was successfully floated on the Stock Exchange with the club being valued at £18m. In 2001 Manchester United was the most successful stock market listed football club in the world making a pre-tax profit of nearly £22m.

This the trailer for the book “Visionary?”: Manchester United & Michael Knighton by Phillip Vine.